“As a school district and sports department and administration, we’re always proud when one of our own goes on and goes above and beyond,” said Madisonville CISD athletics director Greg Morgan last Thursday.

Kacey Creel, senior catcher for the Madisonville varsity softball team, has committed to play softball for Texas Southern University when she enters college next fall. A signing ceremony took place at the Madisonville CISD administration building Nov. 20.

Creel said she visited the TSU campus during the university’s recent homecoming festivities. She noticed the tradition and strict education that TSU offers, and she enjoyed spending time with the TSU team under head coach Worley Barker.

“I really like spirit,” said Creel, “and the campus seemed like it had a lot of spirit.”

The Lady Mustang inked a letter of intent to Texas Southern last Thursday in the MCISD school board room with family, friends and school officials in attendance. Kacey Creel was surrounded by her parents as she wrote her signature. Her mom, Terri Creel, recounted all the preparation in Kacey‘s life that led to last week, beginning with T-ball as a little girl.

“We’ve had so much time and made so many memories with family and friends,” said Terri Creel.

“I’ve always really liked the sport, the camaraderie you get with your teammate, the rush you get whenever there’s bases loaded, the play at home to get them out,“ said her daughter. “It’s just really fun.”

When she won’t be out on the TSU softball diamond, Kacey Creel plans to be taking prerequisites for nursing and then go to nursing school to become registered nurse. She then plans to become a diabetic educator.

Before Creel enrolls in the Houston school, she still has one more softball season this spring in a Madisonville uniform. In her high school career, Creel has accumulated numerous awards including all-district, academic all-district and all-tournament accolades. As a junior, she scored 24 runs while also hitting 22 runs batted in as well as two home runs for a hitting average of .500.

The Lady Mustangs and Madisonville head softball coach Lauren Lindsey have made the UIL playoffs in the last two years and are seeking a return appearance. Aside from that, Creel is looking forward to more memories and to teaching the next generation of Lady Mustangs.

“That’s the main reason that I want to go to a four-year university,” said Kacey Creel, “so as I’m a freshman, I can look up to the seniors and they can tutor me and mentor me, and then when I get up as a senior, I can mentor them and tutor them and be there for them."